Benin, in partnership with the African Development Bank, officially initiated the Project to Promote Sustainable Aquaculture and the Competitiveness of Fisheries Value Chains on 15 May 2024. The project aims to enhance the contribution of the fisheries and aquaculture sector to food security and local economies.
"A significant part of the fishing community in Benin has waited a long time, and now the project is underway," said Gaston Cossi Doussouhoui, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock Farming and Fisheries. He emphasized that many people depend on fishing for their livelihood but have been unable to realize their potential due to lack of support.
The minister noted that despite its potential, Benin's fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector has been underexploited since independence. This has limited growth in the agricultural sector. The sub-sector employs about 15 percent of the working population and contributes 8 percent to the country’s agricultural gross domestic product. However, fish production only meets 40 percent of national needs, leading to high levels of fish product imports.
In 2016, Benin's government decided to make this sub-sector an engine for economic growth. Several interventions by development partners and private-sector initiatives provided a partial response to this challenge. The new project is one such initiative aiming to increase production and productivity sustainably.
The project will cost approximately 24.6 billion CFA francs and aims to promote competitive, climate-resilient fish farming over five years. It plans to introduce floating cages and aquaculture villages over large areas while building attractive commercial value chains. Support will also be provided for improving governance within inland and marine fisheries.
"I would like to thank the African Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility for their ongoing support," commented Minister Dossouhoui. He urged beneficiaries to cooperate closely with the project.
Robert Masumbuko, Country Manager for Benin at the African Development Bank, highlighted the project as an opportunity for the bank to expand its portfolio and position itself as a key partner for Benin’s socioeconomic development. He also commended the swift signing of the letter of agreement in December 2023, following approval by the Bank’s Board of Directors on 22 November 2023.
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